The fauna, flora and landscapes of the Dean in pictures

Forest of Dean – Not For Sale

Following up from my post of the 23rd December, these were taken at a local demonstration in the Forest of Dean yesterday. (BBC News)The Forest of Dean is under threat as never before. Government plans to sell it off will limit access and destroy centuries of tradition. The mixed broad-leaf and conifer woodlands, so well managed by the Forestry Commission as an amenity for all, will be ruined. Please visit the Hands Off Our Forest campaign’s web site and show your support by signing the petitions. Please also visit 38degrees and sign the petition there. The website of the local tory MP and cabinet minister (Mark Harper) is unavailable at the moment, presumably because it was full of promises to preserve the forest – something that is completely at odds with his new-found stance. He’s very much in favour of selling off the forest – no doubt propelling his political career further. He refused to attend today, nor to send a representative. You can read about him at this page though, and email him here. It’s not just a local problem either – it’s not just the Forest of Dean that’s being proposed to be sold – it’s ALL our forests.